Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land
Federal Agency
Sub-Department
Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED)
Purpose
To demonstrate the technical and economic viability of clean energy projects on current and former mines.
Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements
At least 2 projects must be solar. Other projects can be solar, microgrid, geothermal, direct air capture, fossil fuel generated electricity with carbon capture/utilization/sequestration, energy storage (including pumped storage hydropower and compressed air storage), and advanced nuclear technology.
Decarbonization Considerations
Net impact on greenhouse gas emissions is one prioritization criteria used by the DOE. This is a demonstration project seeking projects that can be deployed and scaled quickly to other mine lands while having large net impacts on reducing greenhouse gas emissions are strong candidates for this demonstration program.
Equity Considerations
Job creation in economically distressed areas or in energy transition communities is one prioritization criteria. Community and worker consultation should be incorporated into any project planning, design, and implementation.
Helpful Tips
"Reasonable expectation of commercial viability", as determined by the Secretary, is one of the project eligibility criteria. Prioritization criteria include: job creation, particularly in economically distressed areas and dislocated workers previously employed in manufacturing, coal power plants, or coal mining; net impact in avoiding or reducing greenhouse gas emissions; lowest levelized cost of generated or stored energy; greatest potential for technological innovation and deployment; and shortest project time from permitting to completion.
Other Notes
MINE LAND.—The term ‘‘mine land’’ means— (A) land subject to titles IV and V of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1231 et seq.; 30 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.); and (B) land that has been claimed or patented subject to sections 2319 through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (commonly known as the ‘‘Mining Law of 1872’’) (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.)